Kucinich: Bye-Bye Buckeye State?

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a seven-term Democrat from Ohio, is considering a big move – across country to Washington state.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio) speaks on April 28, at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash., at a union-sponsored event to remember workers killed on the job in Washington state and call attention to workers assaulted on the job at the hospital. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The thinking: It gives him a better chance of serving an eighth term. After last year’s census showed population shifts, Ohio is losing two congressional seats while Washington is adding one.

Mr. Kucinich told a Washington state TV station this week that there may be good reason for him to move to the Evergreen State, where he could run for Congress in a newly created congressional district. Mr. Kucinich, an outspoken, antiwar liberal Democrat, will likely be targeted by Ohio Republicans who are redrawing the state’s congressional districts.

“I intend to stay in Congress. My work is here. I just don’t know what district I’ll be running in,” Mr. Kucinich told the station.

“There’s a lot about Washington state that feels like Ohio,” Mr. Kucinich said. But he also said: ““It’s amazing…I love the mountains.”

Mr. Kucinich’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.

The congressman’s office has done little this year to tamp down rumors that Mr. Kucinich is looking for a new home. Mr. Kucinich is reportedly interested Washington’s yet-to-be drawn new congressional seat or the 1stDistrict. Politico reported.

The 1st District, which includes Seattle’s northern suburbs, is currently represented by Rep. Jay Inslee, a Democrat who is expected to run for governor next year.

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